Bebel in 1886 on war with Russia.

In *Die Neue Zeit*, 1886 (November 1886) (4th year of publication [No. 11]), pp. 502–515, an article by Bebel was published: "Germany, Russia and the Eastern Question."

The article preaches a "preventive" (so to speak) war of Germany against Russia and France.

In 1878, says the author, "it should have gone even further" (p. 513, 1st column), that is, not only to moderate Russia's demands, but also to wrest the newly founded Balkan states from under Russian domination and create "an alliance between the Balkan states" (sic).

"If Russia had refused to satisfy these demands, it should have been answered with a war that would have paralyzed Russian power for whole decades" (513, column 2)...

the whole country, allegedly, all classes of Germany are dissatisfied with her foreign policy:

511, column 2.

In 1886 (or in 1885), after the return of Prince Alexander to Bulgaria (presumably after the revolution in Bulgaria 18. IX. 1885), when both Serbs and Rumanians feared the strengthening of Russia, it was necessary to establish from the Balkan states "an independent alliance of states adhering to Germany and Austria-Hungary" in the Balkans.

"If Russia had then dared to declare war, Germany would have come out

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V. I. LENIN

*Bebel's italics*

against it more unanimously than ever, and in alliance with Austria, the Balkan states and, possibly, with Turkey, it could have waged war against Russia and France with better chances of success—a war which in any case will have to wage subsequently, but possibly—and even probably—under much more unfavorable conditions" (513, 2nd column).